A COUNCIL boss has been asked by campaigners to prove that democracy is alive and well in Bridgwater.

Glen Burrows, secretary for campaign group Bridgwater Forward, wrote to Sedgemoor District Council leader Duncan McGinty asking for an explanation of the democratic processes used by Sedgemoor District Council, focusing largely on the closure of Sedgemoor Splash.

In the letter sent to the leader of the council, she said: "It must be of concern to all of us that elected councillors have made and implemented a decision which has been met with so much dismay, disapproval and opposition from what I would claim is the majority of council taxpayers hereabouts.

"Presumably, elected representatives would prefer to work with the approval of those who elected them, and would wish to carry out the needs and wishes of the people who elected them."

In the letter, she says she believes it is inevitable that some people will always disagree with decisions made by the council, but "we do not live under dictatorship and therefore it is right and proper that citizens in a democracy should be allowed and encouraged to express disagreement".

When it came to light that the Bridgwater Forward campaigners were trying to involve an ombudsman to assess the situation independently, solicitors letters were sent to members of the group on behalf of the council bosses, warning them of "serious consequences" if they do not refrain from voicing their criticisms, according to Ms Burrows.

She said: "Ombudsmen are there precisely to provide a route for the public to take up serious concerns – and there is nothing frivolous about a concern which has roused and angered so many people. Elected councillors should, in fact, be encouraging such activity, as a sign that our democracy is alive and well."

Ms Burrows also voiced the group's opinion concerning councillor Ann Bown, the portfolio holder for health and well-being.

A member of the campaign group wrote to Ms Bown and asked her to consider resigning, because he believes she has behaved incorrectly.

Ms Burrows said: "It is for that councillor to answer the letter, to explain herself. It is not the job of the chief executive to take up the matter and correspond on her behalf.

"We are entitled to question the activities of councillors.

"We are entitled to receive an answer from the person who has been thus challenged.

"We do not expect the chief executive to stand between councillors and constituents in this way."

The group has requested that Mr McGinty comes to one of its meetings to explain the democratic actions of the council concerning the decision to close Sedgemoor Splash.

Ms Burrows added: "All of the above reflects badly on our local politicians, most of whom have remained silent throughout the debate over the provision of swimming facilities. They seem to have been hiding behind paid officials of the council.

"This does not build respect among the public for those people elected to carry out the job of representing them – and I would suggest that, now more than ever, politicians at all levels need desperately to polish their tarnished image in the eyes of the public."

In response to Ms Burrows' letter, Mr McGinty said: "I'm always happy to attend meetings and I've met with other people involved in this campaign. I've no objection to sitting down with the group and discussing issues they have. I do not believe that democracy is dead, otherwise the group members would not have been able to make the comments they have made. I believe they are getting confused between democracy and getting their own way."